Cazorla Has Urged Iker Casillas To Join Him At Arsenal

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Arsenal FC midfielder Santi Cazorla has expressed his desire to see Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas move to the Emirates.

Iker Casillas once proved his worth to Real Madrid as he produced some wonderful saves in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund, which helped them scrape through to the semi-finals. But his long-term future at the club remains in doubts with reports linking him with a move away from the Spanish capital.

The speculations regarding his future started when Jose Mourinho was in charge of the club and he installed Diego Lopez as his first choice goalkeeper in the squad. Things were expected to improve after the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti this season, but the Italian manager has also preferred Lopez to Casillas in the La Liga, while deploying the 32-year-old in goal in Champions League matches. Reports suggest that Casillas has grown frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities at Madrid and would consider a move away from the club despite having a long term contract.

Manchester City and Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Spanish international since last summer, but Casillas has recently stated his desire to stay at the club (contradicting his earlier statement) till the end of his contract.

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has now stated his desire to see the fellow Spaniard at the Emirates and has insisted that Casillas has enquired about his experience in England. But accepting Arsenal’s interest in signing him, Cazorla insists that it will be hard for Casillas to leave Madrid.

“I’ve told Iker I would like him to join Arsenal. But so far he has just been curious about my experience in England.

“But I think it would be very difficult to leave Real because he knows what he has at Madrid, and what he could find at another club.” – The Arsenal midfielder said.

Wojciech Szczesny is current number one at Arsenal and he is expected to have a long career at the Emirates. But Arsenal could do some experience and leadership at the back, something which Casillas has in abundance. Reports suggest that Lukasz Fabianski is expected to leave the Gunners in the summer, while it is yet to be seen if Arsenal do permanently sign Emiliano Viviano after his loan spell ends. The Gunners do need to sign a new goalkeeper at the start of next season, although considering their problems elsewhere in the squad, it will be the least of Wenger’s worries at the moment. Moreover, Casillas’ high wages will be a cause for concern as Arsenal will need to buy a top class striker as well.